Murdannia esculenta

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 45-50 cm tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The roots are thick and tuberous. In some places the roots are not thickened. The leaves are narrowly oblong and 7 cm long by 0.8 cm wide. They are folded and curved. The flower panicles are 5 cm long. The flowers are 8 mm across. The flowers are pink or purple. The fruit is a capsule 8 mm long. There are 3 or more seeds in each cell.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in damp or moist locations. It grows in grasslands and rock crevices. It suits sunny positions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aneilema esculentum Wall. ex C. B. Clarke; Aneilema pulneyense Fyson; Commelina esculenta B. Heyne ex Hook.f. [Invalid]; Phaeneilema pulneyense (Fyson) Raizada;